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Associated Press • Wednesday January 15, 2014 10:19 AM

NORFOLK, Va. -- The body of a pilot who had been missing since a helicopter crashed last week
off the coast of Virginia has been recovered, the Navy said.

U.S. Fleet Forces Command said divers recovered the body of 39-year-old Lt. Sean Christopher
Snyder, of Santee, Calif., yesterday, a day after locating the helicopter's cockpit.

Five crew members were aboard the MH-53E Sea Dragon when it crashed Jan. 8 in the Atlantic
Ocean about 18 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. The Navy says the helicopter was taking part
in routine mine countermeasure training when it crashed.

The other four crew members were pulled from the water, but two died later at a civilian
hospital. The other two have been released from the hospital.

A memorial service for the three crew members killed in the crash has been planned for Friday
at Naval Station Norfolk, where the helicopter's squadron is based.

"The family is truly thankful to the men and women of the United States Navy," Snyder's
family said in a statement released by the Navy. "Sean was a man of honor and a true hero, not only
to his country, but also to his wife, children, family, and friends. Our strength and trust remain
in Christ."

The other sailors who died in the crash were Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Collins, 25, a
pilot from Truckee, Calif., and Lt. Wesley Van Dorn, 29, a crewman from Greensboro, N.C. The Navy
has not released the name of the two crew members who were injured.